Soldier Field turf not ideal, says Holmes
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_644193.html#
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, September 21, 2009
About the writer

Scott Brown is the Steelers beat writer. He can be reached via e-mail. Also check out Brown's blog and Steelers Q&A.

• The Steelers have heard their share of complaints about the playing surface at Heinz Field. At least one Steelers player had his own gripes about the surface at Soldier Field, which had been re-sodded following two U2 concerts last weekend. "It wasn't stable enough to be playing on it, but we're professionals and we've got to adapt to situations," wide receiver Santonio Holmes said following the Steelers' 17-14 loss Sunday to the Chicago Bears. "Once it got wet, the field got a little bad." Holmes and players from both teams had trouble with their footing on a gray day that produced at least a light drizzle throughout much of the game. Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, who missed a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter, said the field didn't affect him.

• The Steelers took a long look at Johnny Knox when they were evaluating wide receivers prior to the NFL Draft in April. It is easy to see why they were so enamored of the small-college star who the Bears took in the fifth round of the draft at No. 140 overall. Knox led the Bears with six receptions for 70 yards yesterday, and his 7-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter allowed Chicago to pull even with the Steelers. "He's developed really quickly," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said of Knox, who played at Abilene (Texas) Christian. "I told Johnny, 'Congratulations, you are no longer a rookie.'"

• The Steelers may be getting perilously thin at safety. Tyrone Carter hurt his left thigh after laying out Bears tight end Greg Olsen in the second quarter. Carter, who started for the injured Troy Polamalu at strong safety, prevented a long reception with the big hit, but he said his leg got worse as the game progressed. He said he probably should have called a timeout and taken himself out of the game prior to Cutler's 7-yard touchdown pass to Knox. "As the game kept going on, it kept getting tighter and tighter," Carter said. "I was limited a lot but I'm not using it as an excuse. It kind of hurt us a little bit, especially that last touchdown."

• Lawrence Timmons returned to the lineup, but Keyaron Fox started at right inside linebacker and finished with five tackles. Timmons, who was credited with three tackles, missed the Steelers' season opener with a sprained left ankle. Against the Bears, the Steelers used Timmons in much the same way as last season, when he replaced starter Larry Foote in passing situations.

80.8: Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating in the Steelers' 17-14 loss to the Bears.

104.7: Jay Cutler's passer rating in yesterday's game.

43: Yards rushing the Steelers allowed to the Bears.

Glace

09-21-2009, 01:21 AM

Santonio....the turf had nothing to do with the passes you dropped that hit you in the hands....

eafratitpm3

09-21-2009, 08:13 AM

It didn't seem to bother the Bears receivers.

HometownGal

09-21-2009, 08:39 AM

Santonio....the turf had nothing to do with the passes you dropped that hit you in the hands....

It isn't turf - it's grass.

I believe Santo says point blank that the grass issue really should have had no bearing on his performance:

"It wasn't stable enough to be playing on it, but we're professionals and we've got to adapt to situations," wide receiver Santonio Holmes said

Texasteel

09-21-2009, 08:49 AM

Not going to make excuses for Holmes, but not going to destroy him over one game either. This is only game 2, he will be fine, and everyone will love him again.

SteelersinCA

09-21-2009, 11:47 AM

I'm not worried about this game, the sky isn't falling but in the NFL there is a lot to say for the ball bouncing your way. Last year maybe that fumble that Harrison causes falls to a Steeler, yesterday it fell to a Bear. Maybe Santone catches 1 of those 4 balls he dropped that hit him in the hands. Maybe Reed makes 1 of the FGs he missed. If any of those things happen we win, imo.

fat4jc

09-21-2009, 01:08 PM

Soldier Field turf not ideal, says Holmes
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_644193.html#
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, September 21, 2009
About the writer

• The Steelers may be getting perilously thin at safety. Tyrone Carter hurt his left thigh after laying out Bears tight end Greg Olsen in the second quarter. Carter, who started for the injured Troy Polamalu at strong safety, prevented a long reception with the big hit, but he said his leg got worse as the game progressed. He said he probably should have called a timeout and taken himself out of the game prior to Cutler's 7-yard touchdown pass to Knox. "As the game kept going on, it kept getting tighter and tighter," Carter said. "I was limited a lot but I'm not using it as an excuse. It kind of hurt us a little bit, especially that last touchdown."

This just pisses me off even more. I never have, and never will like Carter.

fansince'76

09-21-2009, 01:29 PM

No excuses, Santo, especially in light of the dungheap of a field you play 8+ games a year on in your own backyard.

fansince'76

09-21-2009, 01:33 PM

This just pisses me off even more. I never have, and never will like Carter.

Well, I feel a little better that it happened because he was physically limited due to a minor injury than being flat-out not talented enough to prevent it. I've seen us get stung on plenty of plays Troy failed to make because he toughed it out through an injury. How about the way he spent the better part of 2 seasons (2006-07) missing tackles all over the place because his shoulder was screwed up and he was basically physically unable to wrap up?